Cuba's President Raul Castro points to the press during the closing of the twice-annual legislative session at the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014. While praising the historic agreement between Cuba and the U.S. to restore relations, Castro made it clear that the agreement only goes so far, reminding the audience of his call for the U.S. Congress to end the trade embargo. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Cuba's President Raul Castro points to the press during the closing of the twice-annual legislative session at the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014. While praising the historic agreement between Cuba and the U.S. to restore relations, Castro made it clear that the agreement only goes so far, reminding the audience of his call for the U.S. Congress to end the trade embargo. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Cuba’s President Raul Castro points to the press during the closing of the twice-annual legislative session at the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Mimi Whitefield, THE MIAMI HERALD

HAVANA, Cuba (The Miami Hearld)—Despite U.S. promises of more trade and travel under renewed diplomatic relations with the communist island, leader Raúl Castro said Saturday that Cuba would continue to make economic changes at its own pace and would stick with its socialist model.

Responding to criticism that more market-oriented reforms are coming too slowly, Castro said that the speed of the reforms is something that is decided in Cuba.

The Cuban leader’s speech at the closing session of the National Assembly, Cuba’s parliament, came three days after the surprise announcement by Cuba and the United States that they would be restoring diplomatic relations as soon as details are worked out in the coming year.

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